How Healthy Can You Get?

Right off the bat, no fast food restaurants are ever going to be healthier than making your own food or going to a healthy eating spot. However, many fast food restaurants do have healthier options or substitutions that you can try to make your cheap meal better for you. Check out this list to see where you should be eating.

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1. Panera Bread

Panera Bread has many whole-grain options for its delicious sandwiches and bagels. Furthermore, they offer a variety of salads, steel-cut oatmeal, and fruit and veggie options to make your meal a little more balanced. Try their Mediterranean veggie sandwich or avocado, egg white & spinach sandwich for a healthier lunch.

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2. Starbucks

The siren has several low-calorie food and drink options for you to enjoy if you’re watching what you’re eating. For drinks, black coffee or espresso-based options are the way to go, or add a little bit of non-dairy milk if you can’t drink coffee straight. Their healthier food options also include the egg white and roasted red pepper egg bites, or the eggs and cheddar protein box.

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3. Taco Bell

We know, we know, how crazy it is that Taco Bell is on this list. Because this fast food joint is so customizable, you can achieve your goals and have a yummy lunch to boot. Some of Taco Bell’s healthier options include the black bean taco, the veggie power bowl, or the chicken quesadilla.

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4. Chipotle

Chipotle is another highly customizable spot for a quick lunch. Go for a salad bowl with lean protein like chicken, include a few black beans and veggies, and top it off with a bit of guacamole to cover most of your food groups.

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5. Sweetgreen

Sweetgreen prides itself on being a healthy fast-casual option, and it offers a variety of fresh, whole-food ingredients for you to enjoy. Try their caramelized garlic steak plate, the hot honey chicken plate, or the miso-glazed steelhead plate for your next meal.

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6. Subway

Like Taco Bell and Chipotle, the healthiness of your Subway sandwich is entirely up to you. Go for a veggie sub on multigrain bread, or put turkey or chicken on for some leaner protein. We’d generally skip the cheese on this one, but you do you.

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7. CAVA

CAVA is a newer fast food chain that has plenty of customizable bowls, salads, and pitas that are inspired by Greek and Lebanese dishes. They also pride themselves on being a healthier fast food place and offer many plant-based meals for you to enjoy. They include plenty of complex carbs, super greens, and a diverse array of protein options.

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8. Noodles & Company

This fast-food fusion restaurant is predominantly carb-based, but that doesn’t mean it’s unhealthy. Many of their meals are customizable, letting you pick gluten-free, vegetarian, or vegan choices. They also have a personalized wellness choices section, which you can refer to for a healthier meal.

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9. Wendy’s

Wendy’s has a plethora of healthy options if you look past the burger menu. They have a series of salads, grilled chicken sandwiches, apple bites, and even a baked potato, which will keep you full without making you feel sick.

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10. A&W

A&W is primarily burger-based, but they do have better options. The teen burger or the mama burger are likely your best bet, or try a Beyond Burger. A&W also lets you pick a lettuce wrap instead of a traditional bun if you’re trying to watch your carbs.

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1. Chick-fil-A

Sadly, Chick-fil-A was recently named one of the most unhealthy fast food chains in America. Their menu items are high in fat, sodium, and sugar, with most of their meals taking up the bulk of your recommended daily intake. 

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2. Dairy Queen

It’s no surprise that the ice cream joint would be on the unhealthy list, as their Blizzards are mostly sugar in a cup. Their other food items, like the burger or the chicken strips, are usually deep-fried and chock-full of fat, sugar, and salt. That said, who’s going to Dairy Queen to be healthy?

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3. Burger King

Burger King is quite high in saturated fat and cholesterol, with many of their menu options being too large for the average stomach. Like most fast food places, their menu items often contain an insanely high amount of sodium.

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4. Sonic Drive-In

Between the supersonic bacon double cheeseburger and the Oreo and Reese's peanut butter shake, we’re not shocked to see Sonic on this half of the list. Sonic rarely offers decent salads or vegetable options for their dishes, so if you go here, you’re stuck with bread, cheese, and meat.

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5. KFC

Wow - the restaurant called Kentucky Fried Chicken isn’t healthy? Who would’ve thought? The colonel’s food is full of deep-fried goodness, but with a restaurant full of sodium, trans fats, and preservatives, you shouldn’t even be going here on a cheat day.

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6. Five Guys

Five Guys might actually mean five times your daily caloric intake. The popular burger joint has significantly high saturated fat content, and even their fries are considered one of the least healthy options out of all the fast food spots. You can put tomato and lettuce on your burger, but that won’t change your sodium intake.

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7. McDonalds

You were expecting to see it at some point. The golden arches aren’t well-known for their healthy food options - even their grilled chicken and bacon wrap is about 500 calories. McDonald's sadly lacks the needed fiber and vitamins, and is full of saturated fats, sodium, and sugars.

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8. Whataburger

Whataburger indeed. Most menu items at this Texas-based food chain have your standard overdose of fat, carbs, and sodium. While they do have smaller menu items and even a grilled chicken melt, you’re better off skipping this place altogether.

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9. Dunkin’ Donuts

America might run on Dunkin, but that’s probably from the sugar high. Dunkin’ Donuts coffee is full of sugar and fat, and their donuts aren’t better. There are healthier options like their plain iced teas or some of their breakfast sandwiches, but all in all, Dunkin lacks any essential vitamins and nutrients.

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10. Smashburger

Yeah, it’s a really thin burger, but it’s also been fried up and stacked three high. Smashburger menu options are full of sodium, fats, and are all-around highly processed. Not great for your calorie counter.

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